The business model changed after I bought in - now what?

Righteous_Rock

How fair is it that you buy into a game, but the business model changes rendering you ineffective because you simply do not want to shell out more than you already have? That just doesn't seem right. If you advertise your game one way and launch it that way and people invest time into it then you flip flop and created a cash shop that alters the game you paid for, how is that fair?  I know I know read the fine print ... but there is just something wrong about how monetization has ruined gaming.

VengeSunsoar

Unless you bought a lifetime subscription you would have had to shell out more money anyway. 

GeezerGamer

As opposed to what?
Pulling the plug on it?

PAL-18

"Some of them want to use you
Some of them want to get used by you
Some of them want to abuse you
Some of them want to be abused"

they call it business and some people seems to love getting exploited so companies delivers.

stayontarget

Righteous_Rock said:

How fair is it that you buy into a game, but the business model changes rendering you ineffective because you simply do not want to shell out more than you already have? That just doesn't seem right. If you advertise your game one way and launch it that way and people invest time into it then you flip flop and created a cash shop that alters the game you paid for, how is that fair?  I know I know read the fine print ... but there is just something wrong about how monetization has ruined gaming.

You could always cash out.

Antiquated

The caveat emptor lament.

gw2fool

I feel like this about guild wars 2. I bought the full game when it was released, but now they have released an expansion, I am not getting the full game. In fact what I am getting is just slightly more than what somebody that takes the free to play approach gets. Sure you could say to buy the expansion, but from what I hear, the new map is not something that I am interested in. This leaves the new class and abilities, as well as gliding (which is now available in the rest of the game and not just the new map). Another factor is the current currency exchange rate. $49.99 for the basic item, is in my country is $70.56 (more than I paid for the full game, just for an expansion), which in mho is not worth it. After being a loyal player since release, I am left with a bitter feeling and am considering just moving on to another game!

zaberfangx

Righteous_Rock said:

How fair is it that you buy into a game, but the business model changes rendering you ineffective because you simply do not want to shell out more than you already have? That just doesn't seem right. If you advertise your game one way and launch it that way and people invest time into it then you flip flop and created a cash shop that alters the game you paid for, how is that fair?  I know I know read the fine print ... but there is just something wrong about how monetization has ruined gaming.

It's not fair but it's not fair if the game shutdown if the company does noting about it trying get more people or funds to keep the content coming. But even way it's not fair I do agree but games like city of heroes there door close as people don't find it fair that ncsoft closing the game down and not doing anything to keep the game going.

Kyleran

Life isn't fair, neither are MMORPGs, and as every TOS states, we reserve the rigjt to change the game and your experience may vary.

Gaming.Rocks2

gw2fool said:

I feel like this about guild wars 2. I bought the full game when it was released, but now they have released an expansion, I am not getting the full game. In fact what I am getting is just slightly more than what somebody that takes the free to play approach gets. Sure you could say to buy the expansion, but from what I hear, the new map is not something that I am interested in. This leaves the new class and abilities, as well as gliding (which is now available in the rest of the game and not just the new map). Another factor is the current currency exchange rate. $49.99 for the basic item, is in my country is $70.56 (more than I paid for the full game, just for an expansion), which in mho is not worth it. After being a loyal player since release, I am left with a bitter feeling and am considering just moving on to another game!

Just out of curiosity, how long you would consider fair to play a game with original $60 you paid and receive free updates?
If you think the expansion sucks that another story, but that doesn't fall under the change of business model story. 

Jemcrystal

I hate laws and lawmakers.  But after seeing something like this Indie Game Investment Scam where people are complaining that a game that isn't even released changed it's business model ... my god I want laws now to stop businesses from robbing idiots.  I mean if a car's airbag doesn't work it gets recalled because it could hurt us.  If over the counter pills are found not having the correct ingrediants the corp is fined and the product removed so no one gets hurt.  If someone opens a Duncan Donuts and sells wrist watches instead of confections there will be legal actions implemented so no one's sanity is hurt.  Watching people invest in game pirates h u r t s.

They should pass a law that you can't invest in an indie game unless you yourself have created a functioning game.  That way people will stop having a screwed up idea of how much money it takes and how hard it is.  It doesn't take a lot of money and programming isn't hard - just time consuming. 

*I'm on a rant, OP, not pointing my fingure at you personally.  Your thread topic is fine and so are you.

scorpex-x

Righteous_Rock said:

How fair is it that you buy into a game, but the business model changes rendering you ineffective because you simply do not want to shell out more than you already have? That just doesn't seem right. If you advertise your game one way and launch it that way and people invest time into it then you flip flop and created a cash shop that alters the game you paid for, how is that fair?  I know I know read the fine print ... but there is just something wrong about how monetization has ruined gaming.

Companies do it because they can, players will not outrage as they used to.  There are pay to play titles now with p2w cash shops and players love them, they love new additions to the cash shop.

It's kind of hilarious but hey, they push the boundries and players seem ok with it.

Kyleran

You just need to accept the reality of the situation, doesnt mean you have to agree with it.

Ortwig

gw2fool said:

I feel like this about guild wars 2. I bought the full game when it was released, but now they have released an expansion, I am not getting the full game. In fact what I am getting is just slightly more than what somebody that takes the free to play approach gets. Sure you could say to buy the expansion, but from what I hear, the new map is not something that I am interested in. This leaves the new class and abilities, as well as gliding (which is now available in the rest of the game and not just the new map). Another factor is the current currency exchange rate. $49.99 for the basic item, is in my country is $70.56 (more than I paid for the full game, just for an expansion), which in mho is not worth it. After being a loyal player since release, I am left with a bitter feeling and am considering just moving on to another game!

If you bought a car in 2014 and then a shiny new model came out in 2015 with all kinds of new features, would you expect the car manufacturer to give you the 2015 model for free?

Pepeq

Everything on the internet is subject to change.

It should have been obvious since the moment you entered it.

Vorthanion

Kyleran said:

Life isn't fair, neither are MMORPGs, and as every TOS states, we reserve the rigjt to change the game and your experience may vary.

Fairness is a choice, when people stop fighting for it is when I will slit my wrists and call it a day.

Kyleran

You have a choice, don't play if you feel it's unfair, but not worth fighting for.

Also, learn to choose your battles wisely, you can't, (and don't need to) win them all.

psiic

We as consumers have surrendered all of our power and most of our consumer protections. When I was a kid the consumer held all the power, the customer was always right, and even the biggest corporation cared about the smallest blemish to their reputation. In part that was because of investigative reporting and honest privately held media, you know back when journalists actually got off their asses and searched for the truth and posted honest stories. Yet, it was not just on the media, it was on the consumer as well. We were a different people, we valued honesty, we valued morals, we respected hard work. Even though communication was not as effective and immediate as it is today we were people who would stand together when right was right and wrong was wrong. We would make calls, and write letters, even organize and boycott in the name of fair and honest. Sadly now we live in a world where people only give a shit about themselves, and in so doing have become weak and ineffective as a society, as an individual, as a consumer.

nariusseldon

Righteous_Rock said:

How fair is it that you buy into a game, but the business model changes rendering you ineffective because you simply do not want to shell out more than you already have? That just doesn't seem right. If you advertise your game one way and launch it that way and people invest time into it then you flip flop and created a cash shop that alters the game you paid for, how is that fair?  I know I know read the fine print ... but there is just something wrong about how monetization has ruined gaming.

The world is not fair.

Devs have no obligation to keep the same business model forever. AT&T changes their plan offerings for mobile phones. Comcast raised cable rates. Heck, your electricity company can raise prices too.

And games are not necessities of life. You can always stop playing if you don't like what the company is doing. I don't see why you are entitled to what you want since you always have the freedom to quit.